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That’s likely a reflection of seven years in the league and more than his fair share of interviews over that span.

But if there is one thing the 26-year-old forward would like Raptors fans to know about him heading into next season, it is that he views the chance to take a team such as Toronto — and help it into the playoffs — as one of the upsides of his mid-season trade.

Gay has already been to the post-season with Memphis. And he was heading there again this year until the Grizzlies decided to part ways with him in exchange for Ed Davis, Tayshaun Prince and $1 million in currency.

Even his biggest critic couldn’t deny that Gay played a role in helping Memphis rise from also-rans to playoff contender. He obviously didn’t do it alone, with plenty of credit for Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and even Tony Allen to go around, but Gay can’t be denied his sizable share in that, either.

So when he’s asked in his traditional exit interview conducted a couple of days earlier than usual, about the advantages of coming to Toronto, he immediately goes to the challenge of helping turn around the fortunes of his new team.

“I get a chance to see another team build,” Gay said. “From not making the playoffs for a while to trying to get them there. I like the task. It is a task and it’s a lot of hard work, but yeah, I like that.”

Gay is already considered one of the elite scorers in the league, but it’s not necessarily the only legacy he wants left behind.

“I want to be known as a winner and, whatever team I’m with, I want to be known as (the guy who did) whatever it takes, however (long) it takes, to getting that team to be a winner.”

With respect to the Raps on that front, Gay believes they are only getting started. There’s still plenty to learn, beginning with what it’s going to take from each and every member of the roster to get there.

When asked if he sees the hunger in his new teammates to snap this playoff-less skid, Gay stops his questioner short.

“I can’t say hungry because, if you don’t know what it’s like you can’t .... it’s like something if you’ve never done it you don’t know how important it is. I don’t think it’s hungry,” he said. “I just want to be one of the people that gets to show this team what it’s like. There’s nothing like that.”

Gay believes a full training camp for a team at the stage Toronto is at right now is going to be huge.

“I always think we can run more,” he said when asked about the present style of play. “We can be a little more physical on defence and get a little tighter as a group, but that’s going to take another training camp and having everyone together and ready to play and healthy.”

Raptors head coach Dwane Casey admits changing focus mid-season, as the Raps did when they added Gay in that Jan. 31 trade, brings with it some growing pains. But they are the sort he and any coach will live with.

“Any time you add a star player like that, it is different,” Casey said. “I wouldn’t say difficult. It’s a challenge. Without training camp, he comes in and you have all the new terminology, a new defensive philosophy and he’s your main guy. So that is a challenge and it’s a good challenge. Believe me, I will take Rudy Gay on my team any time just because he is one of the few guys in the league who can go get his shot.

“But training camp is going to be a huge help to him. He’s still getting used to breaking old habits and Memphis’ defensive rules, terminology and getting used to our sets. I think he will be more comfortable and more confident when things become more instinctive.”

Gay wasn’t prepared or willing to put on his analysis hat and assess what the Raps have and what they might need in the off-season to take that next step.

“I’ve played 30 games here and that shocks me, but I still feel new,” he said. “We’ll see. A couple of guys have played in the playoffs but it takes a lot to win in the playoffs.”

As for his own game, Gay says he, like DeMar DeRozan, will look to improve his three-point shooting, but he doesn’t feel there is anything anyone should be worried about.

“When I go from making 20 points a game to five on a consistent basis, that’s when you should be worried,” he said.